Construction goes beyond being able to put the cement and stone together. You have to make sure that the furnishing is well done and that it complements the building while at the same time making the surrounding more comfortable for the occupants. The lighting for instance will be even more crucial if you’re working on office buildings. Lighting is even more important considering how exhaustively it is going to be used. It is the one thing that you ought to consider heavily in your construction project. As much as you would like to have lighting that brings out the best aspects of your building and showcases your new masterpiece to the world, you also want to have something that the people will love.

Before you easily cave in since you might not be able to find lighting that does all these, here is a quick suggestion that you might not have thought about: daylight lamps. They are not your conventional electricity bulbs, they are new, savvy and above all very functional in all aspects. Here is why they are a great addition to your project.

Natural lighting

The outdoors are a great place to be. Most office building invest substantially to have significant chunks of their spaces offering that outdoor feeling. You can have big window panes that attempt to bring in the natural light and all but it never beats being in the outdoors themselves. The bigger problem is, such additions are quite costly. With day light lamps, you have them anywhere around the office and have the natural light feeling while investing so little.

Easier and longer working hours

Rarely is there ever a case when you feel your eyes being bombarded by the intensity of natural light. If it was up to you, staying outdoors would be an everyday thing. With most of the other types of lighting, the intensity in most instances is too much and when you’re exposed to it for long periods, your eyes feel tired, they start to ache and you have to cut short your hours or even take a break. This is not the case with daylight lamps. The light is properly weighed out. You can work the entire day under them and into the night without having that drowsy eye effect. The light is easy on the eye without making the room too dark that you have to strain to see when you turn away from the lamp.

They come in different shapes and sizes

When constructing, the one thing you want is uniqueness. You want each room to be defined by something different and unique. Luckily, you have that diversity with the daylight lamps. You can always choose the perfect light for the office with daylight lamps and with the wide variety that is present, you should not have a problem with this. You can give different office spaces within the same building unique looks while still keeping the lighting appeal the same to have a more uniform look.

Daylight lamps have plenty to offer not only to the aesthetic appeal of the building but also to those that will be using that building. If you’re looking for lighting that will keep both the occupants and the building happy and be the crown to your completed office project, without a doubt, daylight lamps would be it.

Usually, small spaces are hard to decorate. It demands creative storage, needs every square inch used properly. For a quick thought, it’s not a wise decision to put in some large furniture, I say that’d be wrong, large furniture are also great way of opening up a small space. Remember that the purpose of bringing in small chairs is to give space for decorations and maybe larger coffee tables, the irony is, large sofa’s are also decorations if you know how to choose the most beautiful but affordable modern furniture found in store.

Employing small pieces of chairs brings mess and the place will look like a play room while putting in large chairs can make the place elegant even without decorations.

If you are a fan of table lamps, table lamps are also great at the kitchen counter so you don’t have to get another table for your lamp, make your kitchen more than a cooking place full of just utensils. Be artistic, find some decorative knife holders so you don’t need to put some decorations in the kitchen, be mindful that being a decorative person means to become artistic.

If in case you are a lover of large windows and the space doesn’t allow that? you can hang your curtains from near the ceiling all the way down to the floor and widen it by extending at least 10 inches from the edge of the window. Use plain colors but with texture.

One last thing, never buy anything that serves only one purpose, tables are a good example, tables could be a study table and a coffee table at the same time.

Furniture and clothing have always shared fashion trends and the current “granny chic” is no exception. Granny chic should not be confused with shabby, unkept, or tacky. It is a specific style that can stand on its own. But it doesn’t mean that you have to throw out all your current furniture and hunt around in thrift shops or flea markets for the perfect sofa. However, the hunt for accent pieces should provide many hours of keen anticipation of finding that perfect cushion or patchwork throw. One or two vintage petit point or flocked velvet cushions can lift a room from drab to inviting.

Animals and Victorian sceneries are part of the revival which granny chic embraces.

Take your cues from the fashion designers – patterns don’t necessarily have to match, but colours should generally be complementary.

Granny chic means comfort, both in furniture and clothing, so soft cushions on sofas and usable throws are the order of the day. Crocheted and knitted blankets and cushion covers invite the visitor to relax and enjoy a cup of tea from an antique cup. The teapot might be kept warm with a patchwork tea-cosy presented on an old silver tray sporting an exquisitely embroidered cloth.

Once you’ve decided that you want to transform your current furnishings into granny chic, there are two ways with which you can update your look:

The more expensive option – reupholster your current furniture in floral prints or gingham and use plain or contrasting accent furniture in complementary colours.

The less expensive option – cushions, throws, embroidery and petit point wall hangings framed in vintage frames. For those souls brave enough, framed pieces of clothing items or pieces of fabric the same as an item of clothing, can provide a quirky face-lift and talking point to keep visitors busy for hours.

Of course, you could buy one or two accent chairs that will fit right in with your current décor taste.

Wingback chairs are a must-have for any serious granny chicker. A funky gingham cushion will complete the look and demand you spend hours embraced in its warmth while reading a good book.

The exterior of the home should not be neglected when you’re going the granny chic route. Beautiful creepers such as Jasmine and Wisteria over the entrance or a lattice-work pergola will transport visitors back to a more gentle era.

Bathrooms are a space where we spend a lot of time but nobody talks about them; make your bathroom a place you never want to leave with some of these ideas.

Don’t be afraid to add patterns and color.

In smaller bathrooms people advise to keep everything neutral to make the space appear larger, but some great floor tiles or splashes of color on the walls can liven up an otherwise dull space.

Indulge your own style

People might tell you that a spa like bathroom is best, but if your taste runs more to bamboo, bohemian shower curtains or fluffy old school bathmats then that is what you should do. It’s your bathroom, and you’re the one that has to live in it.

Some great new bathroom designs out there include: industrial salon design and a great washroom style design, along with many more. Do your research and find something completely unique that you will love.

Don’t hide the TP

Make sure toilet paper is always visible, it’s absolutely humiliating for guests to either have to drip dry or ask you for a new roll. Save them the embarrassment and keep your toilet paper next to the loo where it belongs.

Tiles are not essential

Let’s face it, tiles are cold, if you can properly waterproof it, wooden floors can be a great alternative. They’re warmer against the feet and give your bathroom and warmer and cozier feel in general.

Make your towels a feature

Scraggly towels can often make a bathroom look dirty or tired, so invest in some good quality heated towel rails and buy some funky colored towels. It’s a great way to liven up your bathroom, while being functional at the sam

If you’re looking to bring a furry friend into your life, you may be wondering what you can do to keep your home looking clean and chic while avoiding banishing your pet to the backyard. Don’t fret because you can have a home that is both beautiful for you and accommodating to your pet’s needs. Read below for the steps you will need to take so the both of you can enjoy the comfort and pleasures of your home.

Think like a toddler

What qualities does your cat or dog share with a toddler? For most, they may share a similar height, activity level, dependency, and curiosity for their environment. If your home isn’t already childproof, take a look around for things that could potentially cause problems. If it helps you can also try crawling around the home on your hands and knees to see from your pet’s perspective. You will want to search for hazards such as loose wires, unstable furniture, and small areas your pet could get stuck in. Read more on petproofing your home here by Design Sponge.

Look for items that will withstand wear and tear

After you’ve found and dealt with any potential hazards to your pet’s safety, you will want to make sure your furniture and accessories are stain-resistant and hardy to an active pet life. Most fabrics are a magnet for pet fur so you may want to avoid delicate fabrics that require specific cleaning instructions. Pets have accidents as frequently as small children, so look for fabrics that are nearly indestructible and could easily be tossed in the washing machine. If you want a texture option other than plain cotton pillows, you can also look into fabrics such as twill, leather, and ultrasuede, all of which are easy to clean.

As for decorating accessories, first consider where your pet may walk. If you have a dog, look for items that have a sturdy base or items that could survive getting knocked over a few times. With cats, be aware that your cat may want to jump on top of bookcases or climb into drawers. If you have a prized antique keepsake, you will want to keep it out of reach of the cat or behind a glass case.

Opt for hard floors

While you may dream about having wall-to-wall carpeting in your home, that is not an entirely reasonable option with pets. They are not only a beacon for accidents but also attract fur and absorb odors. Carpeting can be difficult to clean and, depending on the severity of an accident, may require replacement in the near future. Instead, you will want to choose a hard floor surface, such as tinted concrete, wood, or tile. Accidents can be easily mopped up and the floors are more resistant to your pet’s toe nails scraping the floors during a 3AM run.

Practice good grooming

Once you do bring your pet home, incorporate regular bathing and grooming to your schedule to help keep your home clean. This includes brushing your pet’s coat daily to remove loose fur and trimming nails to prevent scratching. While you don’t have to bathe your pet daily, or even weekly, do wash them every few weeks to remove dirt and grime from their coats.

Clean and vacuum often

In addition to practicing good grooming on your pets, cleaning your home on a regular basis is key to preventing pet hair, dander, and odors from accumulating on your furniture. We recommend that you vacuum and dust all surface areas twice weekly—don’t forget those small areas under couches and in corners!

The pro and con of using Pinterest seems to lie in the same reason people use the website: to collect ideas for their next home project. While perusing the website’s home décor section, it’s not uncommon to scroll through hundreds of designer patios that underwent meticulous edits before being declared the “perfect” patio. However, you can use many of these photos as inspiration for how to get the patio of your dreams.

Be neutral

As tempting as it may be to choose some bold, bright colors for your patio furniture, instead look for neutral colors. Palettes that use white, ivory, black, grey, brown, and navy have a timeless quality and can easily pair with items from different collections. If you want to add color and pattern, look for pillows, throws, and other accessories that can be easily changed out.

Think in layers

Layers goes for everything in the patio area: floors, seating, lighting, etc. Start with your base elements in items you love: the table, armchairs, umbrella or tent, basic lighting, and a clean, even floor. Once you have these established, you can begin adding additional items, such as an area rug, string lights, wall hangings, and other items.

Design the seating area

After you choose your items in your base layer, create a basic layout for the seating area. This will be the core area that will be used and should focus on creating a comforting space for conversation and relaxation. Basic layouts often have the seats arranged around a table in the same style as a living room. Figure out what works for you and arrange your furniture from there.

Choose lighting

As stated in the layering section, look into using at least two sources of lighting. This will prevent it from feeling harsh and one of these can act as a backup in case of the lights happens to go out on you. Since most people tend to have a basic patio light, try adding some string lights around the main seating area. These can be the smaller twinkle lights used during the holidays or larger globe bulbs made especially for patio use. Additional lighting can also include candles, tiki torches, or even a small fire pit.

Add some green

Since you are outdoors, look into adding potted plants of various sizes that will be hardy enough to stand outdoor temperatures. Larger plants can sit in pots on the group while smaller ones can stay on tables or hang from the wall or ceiling. The plants will act as that additional layer to your patio and will also help it to feel more cozy and unique.

Personality

Don’t forget to incorporate your personality into the patio space! Much of your personality can shine through the type of furniture, the fabrics, the accessories used, and even the type of lighting you choose. Let this guide you into creating a space you won’t want to leave.

In many homes around the country the basement is an often-neglected living space. It tends to be more utilitarian than useful. The sad thing is that this area has so much potential! With a little time and attention you can change the basement from functional to fun. In some places this will require a little more than decorating, while in other basements all you need is a little color and imagination to make the basement the best room in the house.

One good use for your basement, particularly if you have kids, is to design a grown-up retreat, the place where only the adults can hang out. Create the period look you love, without having those nice furnishings subjected to all the mishaps that children bring with them. Whether it’s Beach Casual, Mid-Century Modern, or French Provincial that you like, you can start collecting genuine or reproduction pieces to create an atmosphere where you can relax in grown-up style. You can always transfer it all into the living room once the kids head off to college!

Many basements have very little natural light due to a serious lack of windows. However, this can also work to your advantage. Make the basement a media area! With its low ceilings and low light, the basement may be the most perfect area in your home to become an excellent media room, complete with all the fancy trimmings. To pull this off you will need to make the walls, floors, and ceiling in this room darker colored, install a large screen television with surround-sound, and add some comfortable seating with plenty of tables for your popcorn.

Basements also convert into good home offices or art and music studios. It’s easy to divide the basement into smaller rooms and lots of lighting can be added. In creating a smaller room, particularly for music, you have a viable space for installing soundproofing at a reasonable cost. These rooms can be simply decorated and affordably furnished for comfort, privacy, and utility.

One thing you need to keep in mind when it comes to the basement is that many of them have a problem with dampness. Dehumidifiers help, but you may also need to plan some structural repairs to eliminate the problem. You want to avoid mold and mildew whatever the cost, since they can ruin any potential enjoyment of your new basement space. Choose cork or ceramic tiles, installed with proper moisture barriers, for the flooring, and make use of the new choices in attractive moisture-barrier paints as well.

With just a little creative thinking, you can turn that dank old basement into the envy of your neighbors!